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Olympus Pen EE

The Olympus Pen EE is a half-frame 35mm viewfinder camera from the Pen series, introduced in the early 1960s. It uses a selenium cell surrounding the fixed lens to drive automatic exposure, and was positioned as a compact, point-and-shoot model that doubled the number of frames on a standard 35mm roll.

At recent UK auction, hammer prices for the Pen EE have ranged from about £19 to £44, with a median around £35 — squarely a budget-tier collectable at saleroom level as of 2026. Because these are wholesale auction results rather than dealer retail, clean, working examples tend to sell for more once serviced and offered through specialist sellers. Condition of the selenium meter is the single biggest factor in what one sells for, and bodies with dead meters typically drag value toward the lower end of the range.</p>

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Sales History

Prices shown are UK auction hammer results — the wholesale level achieved in the saleroom. Neither buyer’s nor seller’s commission is included. Dealer and retail asking prices are typically higher.

Prices updated: April 2025

Date Price Source
Apr 2025 £44 Flints Auctions
Aug 2024 £19 Flints Auctions
Aug 2024 £25 Flints Auctions
Aug 2024 £38 Flints Auctions
Jun 2024 £35 Special Auction Services
Jun 2024 £31 Flints Auctions
Mar 2024 £160 David Duggleby
Feb 2024 £50 Flints Auctions
Aug 2023 £40 Special Auction Services

Frequently asked questions

What is an Olympus Pen EE worth today?

Recent UK auction hammer prices sit between roughly £19 and £44, with a typical example selling for around £35. Serviced bodies offered through dealers generally carry a retail premium on top of that.

How much does an Olympus Pen EE sell for at auction?

The last five UK saleroom results span £19 to £44 at the hammer, before buyer's premium. That price range reflects mixed cosmetic and meter condition across the sample.

Does the value depend on the meter working?

Yes. Because the Pen EE relies on its selenium cell for exposure, a dead meter materially reduces what the camera is worth, and working examples tend to achieve the upper part of the observed price range.

Is the Olympus Pen EE a half-frame camera?

Yes. It exposes two half-frame images in the space of one standard 35mm frame, so a 36-exposure roll yields around 72 pictures.

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